jarl
1
9.9
- noun
- /jɑrl/
- Archaic
- As a jarl of the northern territories, he was responsible for maintaining peace and prosperity among the villages.
Examples
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Later Scandinavian kings and jarls maintained such bodyguards, called hirdmenn/hirthmen; numbers ranged from just 60 men for a jarl to as many as several thousand for a wealthy and powerful king such as Cnut the Great.
Blog text (15) -
In medieval Scandinavia, a jarl often led his warriors into battle, commanding respect and loyalty from his followers.
-
The jarl who ruled the land (perhaps the local castellan of a port) agreed to sell food and supplies to the Norse throughout the winter.
Academic text (1996) -
When the jarl instead closed his market soon after Yule, the Norwegians overpowered his troops and occupied his castle, where they appropriated his own supply of food in addition to other booty.
Academic text (1996) -
Later Scandinavian kings and jarls maintained such bodyguards, called hirdmenn/hirthmen; numbers ranged from just 60 men for a jarl to as many as several thousand for a wealthy and powerful king such as Cnut the Great.
Blog text (15) -
The jarl welcomed his subjects to the feast, showcasing his authority and generosity as their noble leader.
Synonyms
306
4.8
A man who has a noble title and may sit in the House of Lords
3
9.5
A rich, powerful man who holds land from the king and gives soldiers to the king
1
9.9
A powerful noble who gets loyalty and service from knights and farmers
Surface Forms
Etymology
Jarl comes from Old Norse jarl, which meant 'chief' or noble leader in Viking Scandinavia. So a jarl was a high noble who ruled lands and led warriors under a king, much like the English earl.